As one of the 30 best restaurants in Lithuania, Džiaugsmas serves contemporary Lithuanian cuisine. There is a history to this building. The building was once occupied by a famous Russian poet and Nobel Prize winner – Joseph Brodsky. The plaque in memory of Joseph is visible on the front of the building. There is a tiny sign next to the entrance. Unless you’re standing the front of the restaurant, you won’t be able to see it. I could not tell from the facade of the building that it was a restaurant. It was like walking into someone’s home.
The restaurant has three floors with rooms for private dining. The interior is decorated with dark accent walls and furnishing.
The food was served in rustic porcelain dinnerware.
I was first served their homemade rye bread with lard with sunflower seeds and butter with salt.
For the main course, I had the chicken schnitzel, which had a Nordic twist to it. The chicken had a lovely golden-brown super-crisp crust. The chicken was juicy and tender, and packed with flavor. The fermented currants pop in your mouth with acidic and sweet juices. The chimichurri topping was mild, earthy, herby with a hint of lemony taste, and the horseradish sauce was light, fluffy, sweet, creamy, and smooth. All of these flavors combined made this dish amazingly delectable. One of the best schnitzels I’ve had in terms of flavor and texture.
The salad was fresh with a vinaigrette dressing. The baby potatoes were waxy and smooth in texture with a subtle sweet flavor. The sauce for the potatoes was a rich umami broth, absolutely delicious!
I asked the waiter for a recommendation for the dessert. He suggested the angel wings, which is a nostalgic dessert for him, bringing him back to his childhood. The restaurant’s innovative version of the angel wings was beautifully plated. The red from the strawberry powder gave the dish a visual pop. The angel wings were delicately crispy. The ice cream and egg cream were light and velvety. There is a good balance of sweetness and acidity.
I enjoyed my dining experience at Džiaugsmas.
Džiaugsmas water € 3.50
Schnitzel, herb butter sauce, fermented currants, potatoes, fresh salad, horseradish cream € 15
Angel wings, tonka beans ice cream, strawberries, caramel, egg cream € 6
Džiaugsmas
Website: http://www.dziaugsmas.com/ & https://www.facebook.com/dziaugsmas.restoranas/
Opening hours: Monday to Saturday 17:00 pm. – 23:00 p.m.
Telephone: +37063111153
Address: Vilniaus g. 28, LT-01402, Vilnius
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